Demand for the new iPad, at the very least the LTE models in the United States, appears to be as strong as expected. Apple’s preorder page now lists both the white 16GB and 64GB AT&T LTE models with a delivery date of March 19. The rest of the models are currently still listed as shipping on March 16, as announced by Apple during yesterday’s unveiling. Apple’s Canadian online store lists all models with a delivery date of March 16-20, except the 64GB Wi-Fi only model listed as “Available by: March 19”.

In addition, the German Apple online store is officially sold out and now lists a delivery date of March 22 (originally March 16) on all models. Preorders in Japan were previously inaccessible after the unveiling, but seem to be functioning normal now. An international rollout is expected to take place on March 23 with 26 more countries getting access to order the device. Get the full details here.

The Apple TV is also getting a bumped shipping estimate. It was supposed to deliver to preorder customers on March 16, but Apple’s website now lists the device as shipping in “1-2 weeks.”

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Hi, Seth here.  Just woke up to find more than a few comments, emails, Tweets, etc on this post and its inaccuracy.  It turns out that the author was wrong on his take and hadn’t done due diligence before posting this.  I am sorry for that.

The change in behavior is that you didn’t before have full camera roll access from the lock screen; now Apple has allowed access.  But importantly, only if you’ve unlocked your iPhone within the prescribed amount of time in “require Passcode’ time settings.  Our writer had a delay in the lock screen which allowed him access after unlocking within that time. He wasn’t trying to fool anyone, he just made a mistake and published without doing due diligence.

I am reviewing what to do about this situation.  Your trust is important to us and I know we’ve lost some of it today.
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The Wall Street Journal reports that the United States Justice Department threatened to launch an antitrust lawsuit against Apple and five of the nation’s biggest book publishers over an alleged price-fixing that has resulted in higher prices of e-books.

Several of the parties have held talks to settle the antitrust case and head off a potentially damaging court battle. If successful, such a settlement could have wide-ranging repercussions for the industry, potentially leading to cheaper e-books for consumers. However, not every publisher is in settlement discussions.

The government is specifically aiming to probe CBS Corp.’s Simon & Schuster Inc., Lagardere SCA’s Hachette Book Group, Pearson PLC’s Penguin Group (USA), Macmillan, a unit of Verlagsgruppe Georg von Holtzbrinck GmbH, and HarperCollins Publishers Inc., a unit of News Corp. that also owns The Wall Street Journal.

At question: The so-called agency model where publishers freely set prices of their titles on Apple’s iBookstore before the Cupertino company reaps 30 percent of the proceeds. The freedom to pick the price has led most—if not all— publishers to allegedly raise prices of e-books across the board as they feared customers would get accustomed to inexpensive $9.99 Kindle books from Amazon.

Barnes & Noble CEO William Lynch already gave a deposition to the U.S. Justice Department. He said abandoning the agency model would allow a single party to achieve dominance in the marketplace, alluding to Amazon. According to the people familiar with the matter, the U.S. Justice Department believes that Apple and the publishers “acted in concert to raise prices across the industry, and is prepared to sue them for violating federal antitrust laws.”

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We’ve tested AT&T vs. Verizon’s LTE  in NYC and our guy on the ground in San Francisco was able to test LTE at Yerba Buena today.  Results? AT&T smoked Verizon in a bunch of areas around the “new iPad” event.

Those are similar to the  results in NYC and we hear the same thing happens in Irvine, CA, for instance.

Why is this?  We have out theories.

• One major reason is that Verizon’s network is already pretty full of Androids running 4G while AT&T has only released a handful of devices with LTE. (this might also be why Apple used AT&T LTE at the event today)  The story might change when the flood of iPads come crashing in (for both companies).
• Also, AT&T’s step down is to HSPA+ which is a lot faster than Verizon’s EVDO so perhaps AT&T has some faster legacy backhaul in place.
• In Verizon’s favor is that they’ve been running LTE for much longer (with some significant recent outages) than AT&T and they seem to do much better on those Consumer Reports customer satisfaction-type surveys (which usually also take voice quality into consideration).
• Finally, Verizon will offer 4G Tethering on day one of the iPAd release.  Meanwhile AT&T is “working with Apple on it”

The plans that Apple has in place would seem to favor AT&T as well, especially when you consider the 29,000 US Wifi hotspots.  At $30/month, you get 3GB from AT&T, 2GB from Verizon.

Verizon’s strong point has traditionally been its voice service over AT&T and perhaps one reason why in the past they’ve been able to charge a premium..  For data only, the playing field is a little more wide open, however.

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[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=DJxZ0HVQXo8#!]

Apple posted the first TV spot for the all new iPad unveiled earlier today and it —not surprisingly—focuses on the device’s Retina display. The ad’s tagline: “When a screen becomes this good, it’s simply you and the things you care about.” Check below for our full coverage of today’s announcements:

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So about two weeks ago we got a tip from a reliable source that Apple was going to call the iPhone 5 (or whatever)- the new “iPhone”.

That seemed a little nuts at the time but what a difference a Keynote makes. As Christian explained, Apple chopped the suffix off if the iPad as part of a branding makeover that will likely expand.  Just like iMac is not called iMac 1,2,3 it looks like Apple won’t be doing the numbering on iOS devices (though it never did with the iPod touch).

So that tip –That the next iPhone is simply the new “iPhone” – seems a lot more plausible now.

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It has become clear that Apple’s new iPhoto App is pulling mapping  tiles from Apple’s own mapping services. Take this tile for instance. While they aren’t particularly good looking, Apple is no longer using third party mapping services like Google’s which iPhoto has used in the past and Apple has generally relied on for its mapping information across all of its applications, both Mac and iOS.

As Apple and Google continue to distance themselves from each other, Apple is clearly moving to bring its mapping needs in-house.

In fact, we’ve heard from a source within Google that Apple has NOT re-upped their mapping contract for 2013 and their current mapping contract ends toward the end of this year.  That means Apple could be moving all of its mapping data to this new format by the end of the year.

Apple last renewed its Google Maps contract in May of 2011.

Apple has acquired three different mapping startups including Placebase,  C3 and Poly9 from which it is likely building its mapping services.  If you’ve seen what C3 can do, (videos below) you know that the above tile fits into the “you ain’t seen nothing yet” category.

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While $399 for an iPad 2 is a great deal, the Apple Store now has Refurbished iPad 2s for just $349.  That’s $70 less than this morning and a damn good price for a good as new iPad 2 with an Apple 1 year warranty.
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[slideshow]

Apple today released a new free Mac App called Configurator which allows you to administer many iOS devices at a time like in a school or business (or my house) setting.  At first blush it appears to be much simpler than the Windows/Mac configuration utility.

Description follows:
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Apple demoed quite an impressive iPhoto app today during the new iPad unveiling, and the app is now officially live on the App Store for $4.99 [iTunes]. In case you did not know, the app is a universal download for both iPhone and iPad. You can grab iPhoto for iOS now (iTunes link). Apple also boasted updated versions of iMovie and GarageBand today that you can already get on the App Store here and here for $4.99 each (free update for current owners). The updated GarageBand app features a Note Editor, Smart Strings orchestra feature, and Jam Sessions for realtime playing and recording with up to three other iOS devices.  You can read our full break down of the new iPhoto app here.

In addition Apple updated iBooks Author today to “take advantage of the Retina display on the new iPad” and did the same for the iTunes U app. The updates also include the usual stability and performance improvements.

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As we predicted, Apple quickly unveiled a refreshed Apple TV today at its media event in San Francisco before moving onto the new iPad. On top of 1080p video streaming, perhaps one of the biggest features of the device’s upgraded UI is the ability to access purchased movies stored in iCloud— just like with music and TV shows. Unfortunately, according to a report from AllThingsD, it looks like not all content will be accessible. Content from Comcast’s Universal and News Corp.’s Fox will not be available due to deals currently in place with HBO:

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As the Apple Store tries to come back up we’re starting to get some details including pricing for 4G iPads. Both carriers match their 2GB and 5GB /month prices at $30 and $50 respectively.  AT&T offers an additional low end $15 250mb plan while Verizon has a monster 10GB for $80 plan.

Update: We’re told that AT&T is actually offering 3GB for $30 – we’ve updated the graphic above.

On that note, you may be asking yourself which carrier to go on.  I’ve been testing AT&T and Verizon’s LTE for awhile now in NYC and AT&T’s is faster (probably because only a few Android users are using it so far).  However, that could change once the iPad hits the streets.  On the other hand, Verizon’s LTE network is more mature and available in many more cities currently.

If you aren’t in LTE land, AT&T’s network is much speedier especially with the new iPad radios which allow for “faster than iPhone” 21Mbps.

Speaking of faster iPhone, HSPA+ is now called “4G” on current iPhones.  Perhaps confusing, AT&T has been lobbying for this for months.

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Get yours via Software Update or here.  Included is the ability to play 1080P iTunes and improvements for iTunes Match.

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Apple said today at the new iPad unveiling that the device runs iOS 5.1, which is an unreleased version of its mobile operating system featuring Siri in Japanese, several camera app tweaks, and other little nice-to-haves. Interesting, this update also “addresses bugs affecting battery life.” Other features include new podcast controls for playback speed on iPad, the redesigned camera app on iPads, the always-visible camera shortcut on the lock screen, updated AT&T network indicator, Genius Mixes and Genius playlist for iTunes Match subscribers and more. We are guessing iCloud users will appreciate that they can finally remove photos from their Photo Stream directly on the device without having to go to iCloud.com on their computer.

Depending on your location, the update might not have hit iTunes, but you can always download the right firmware for your device using direct links here. Of course, you can also bring your device up to date over-the-air by hitting Software Update under the General section of the Settings app.

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While there was no mention of AppleCare+ extended warranties at today’s unveiling, Apple’s preorder page for the new iPad does list the extended warranty as an option during the checkout process. The AppleCare+ for iPad extended protection plan provides coverage for accidental damage with each incident subject to a $49 fee. Apple initially began offering a $99 AppleCare+ protection plan for the iPhone 4S. According to Apple, the new iPad plan covers your iPad, your battery, any Time Capsule or AirPort device purchased two years before or during your plan, as well as the iPad’s power adapter and USB cable. You will have to grab AppleCare+ for the new iPad within 30 days of your purchase, so it will likely become available in time for the new iPad’s March 16 launch.
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Wow, that was fast. Hit this link!

UPDATE 1: Aw, snap! Although the page to this link advertises the March 7 Apple Special Event, the clip streamed is from a previous event. In addition, the page is not linked to the Apple Events section of Apple’s website. Either these things take time to propagate…or someone is having their last day at Apple, Inc.

UPDATE 2: The event stream is live now.

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After unveiling  the new iPad at today’s event, Apple officially confirmed it would continue selling the iPad 2. The entry-level 16GB Wi-Fi-only iPad 2 will get a price drop to $399. The Wi-Fi+3G model will sell for $529. The price drops will presumably take effect immediately, because  preorders for the new iPad begin today.

Get all the details on the new iPad’s Retina display, LTE-capabilities, new camera system, and A5X quad-core graphics processor at 9to5Mac.

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In what many might call a long overdue move, Apple finally ported the photo management application iPhoto to iPad. The release of the software completes a trio of the most important iLife apps that are now available on the iPad: iMovie, GarageBand, and now iPhoto. The app supports images up to 19-megapixels. It also sports many familiar and popular features, including the auto-enhance tool, social sharing through Facebook, Twitter, Flickr, email, and more.

The iPhoto app is aimed at people who “want to do more with your photos.” One aspect immediately becomes clear: iPhoto for iPad is gestures-heavy (per an extensive live demo Apple’s Chief Architect for Photo and Video Randy Ubillos gave on stage).

You can use the new bezel gesture —a first for an Apple-made iPad app— to swipe from the left side of the screen to look at other images in the album. From there, just tap on an image to bring the editing interface up. When you want to bring in the thumbnail view, just swipe from the side again.

Another cool feature: Double-tapping a single image tells iPhoto to scan your entire library and compare all the images to find the ones that look similar. You can also beam photos between devices over-the-air, tap a specific area to adjust it, touch, and drag to brighten or tweak saturation, and more.

However, when it comes down to heavy image editing, the iPhoto app does not disappoint. For example, brush palettes include tools such as red-eye, saturation, and lighten. Other notables include sharpen, soften, darken, and a general repair tool. Meanwhile, the effects gallery includes black and white, vignette, tilt-shift, watercolor, and more.

More information is available below.

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GarageBand for iPad was given a significant update today at Apple’s new iPad unveiling. Some of the new features include Smart Strings, Note Editor, and new iCloud and sharing features. We will update this post with more information when we get our hands on the new GarageBand, which is available today. Apple did boast one cool feature, however, known as “Jam Session.” The feature allows you to jam with up to three other iPad users in real-time. Stay tuned for more.

Get all the details on the new iPad’s Retina display, LTE-capabilities, new camera system, and A5X quad-core graphics processor at 9to5Mac.

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Apple just finished the new iPad presentation at San Francisco’s Yerba Buena Center for the Arts. Now we have full tech specs, and the new Retina Display is its defining feature, but what about the little things? Per pre-event rumors and whispers, the new iPad is a tad heavier and thicker than its predecessor is.

The new iPad is 9.4mm thin and weighs 1.4lbs. As for the iPad 2, it is 8.8mm deep and weighs 1.33lbs (Wi-Fi model). This makes the new iPad 0.6mm thicker and 0.07lbs heavier. However, we somehow doubt anyone other than the most eagle-eyed fans will notice the difference.

As for its battery, the new iPad maintains the same 10-hour battery life as both the original iPad and iPad 2. Steve Jobs highlighted battery performance at the iPad 2 unveiling by underscoring how iPad 2 features the same “legendary” battery as the original model. “We don’t want to give that up,” he said, “This has been tried and tested by many reviewers.”

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Apple just announced preorders for the new iPad would begin today with the device becoming available March 16. As for pricing, as expected, Apple will keep the entry-level Wi-Fi only model at $499. Prices for the LTE models are the same as the previous iPad 2’s Wi-Fi+3G model and start at $629. A huge international rollout will take place on March 23. Check the slide below for the full list.

Get all the details on the new iPad’s Retina display, LTE-capabilities, new camera system, and A5X quad-core graphics processor at 9to5Mac.

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As rumored before today’s event, Apple just confirmed live in San Francisco that the new iPad will support 21Mbps HSPA+ and DC-HSDPA at 42Mbps, as well as LTE at 73Mbps. Apple execs gave demos of the device running on both AT&T and Verizon LTE networks and confirmed support for both carriers. Apple also announced international LTE partners, including Canadian carriers Bell, Rogers, and TELUS. There will also be personal hotspot available on support carriers.

“Performance is amazing and you’re going to love using it on these new high-speed networks.”

Get all the details on the new iPad’s Retina display, voice dictation, new camera system, and A5X quad-core graphics processor at 9to5Mac.

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Another feature of the new iPad is a redesigned camera system that seems to borrow heavily from both the iPhone 4 and iPhone 4S. Gone are the poor man’s backside camera on iPad 2. The new iPad boasts Apple’s proven camera system design featured on iPhone 4S.

On the back is the new iSight camera with a 5-megapixel CMOS sensor. It’s got a number of iPhone 4S features, including backside illumination, auto-exposure, auto-focus, face detection in still images, video stabilization, a fifth lens and hybrid IR filter. This crazy camera hardware is driven by an Apple-designed image processor built into the A5X chip. Oh, in case you were wondering – yes, it records video in full HD 1080p resolution at up to 30 seconds with stereo audio.

As for the front-facing videoconferencing camera, it is the same “FaceTime camera with VGA-quality photos and video at up to 30 frames per second”.

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